The nurse assessing a premature newborn infant auscultates a continuous machinery-like murmur.
This finding is associated with which congenital heart defect?

An Apgar score of 10 at 1 minute after birth indicates that the infant is having no difficulty adjusting to extrauterine life but who should be assessed again at 5 minutes after birth. The Apgar score is a scoring system that evaluates the health of newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth based on five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration. Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, and the total score ranges from 0 to 10. A score of 7 to 10 is considered reassuring, a score of 4 to 6 is moderately abnormal, and a score of 0 to 3 is concerning.

Choice A is wrong because an Apgar score of 10 at 1 minute does not mean that the infant needs no further testing. The infant should still be assessed again at 5 minutes and monitored for any signs of distress or complications.

Choice B is wrong because an Apgar score of 10 at 1 minute does not indicate an infant in severe distress who needs resuscitation. An Apgar score of 0 to 3 would indicate a concerning condition that may require immediate intervention.

Choice C is wrong because an Apgar score of 10 at 1 minute does not predict a future free of neurologic problems. The Apgar score alone cannot be considered as evidence of, or a consequence of, asphyxia or brain injury; it does not predict individual neonatal mortality or neurologic outcome; and it should not be used for that purpose.

Normal ranges for each criterion are as follows:

• Appearance (color): pink all over (2 points), body pink but extremities blue (1 point), blue, bluish-gray, or pale all over (0 points)
• Pulse (heart rate): greater than 100 beats per minute (2 points), less than 100 beats per minute (1 point), absent (0 points)
• Grimace (response to stimulation): cough or sneeze, cry and withdrawal of foot with stimulation (2 points), facial movement/grimace with stimulation (1 point), absent (0 points)
• Activity (muscle tone): active movement (2 points), limbs flexed (1 point), limp or floppy (0 points)
• Respiration (breathing): good, strong cry (2 points), irregular, weak crying (1 point), absent (0 points)

Assess the parents’ anxiety level and readiness to learn. This is because the nurse needs to evaluate the parent’s emotional state and their ability to comprehend and retain information before providing any teaching.

The nurse should also consider the parent'slearning style, cultural background, and literacy level.

Choice B is wrong because gathering literature for the parents is not the first action. The nurse should first assess the parents’ needs and preferences and then select appropriate materials that match their level of understanding and language.

Choice C is wrong because securing a quiet place for teaching is not the first action. The nurse should first assess the parents’ readiness to learn and then choose a suitable environment that minimizes distractions and promotes comfort.

Choice D is wrong because discussing the plan with the nursing team is not the first action. The nurse should first assess the parents’ anxiety level and readiness to learn and then collaborate with other health care professionals to provide consistent and accurate information.